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• State: Uttarakhand

• Location- Kedarnath

• Distance: 77 Km from Rudraprayag, 42 km from Badrinath, 228 km from Rishikesh

• Main attractions: The main Kedarnath temple

• Known: One of the most sacred pilgrimage center of the Hindus and houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas

• Altitude: 3,581 meters

• Also known- as the oldest temple to have existed before the Mahabharata

• Tempertaures:19.5 degree (max), 5.6 degree (min)

• Best time to visit- May to October

Situated on the banks of the Mandakini River, Kedarnath is one of the four main and sacrosanct Hindu pilgrim centres in Uttarakhand (Himalayan Uttara Pradesh). Though mainly famous as a religious centre, this place, surrounded by mountain ranges, also attracts tourists because of its beautiful landscape.

Main Attractions

The most famous monument of Kedarnath is the Kedarnath Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) who is worshipped mainly in the form of a linga (symbolic phallus of Shiva). The Jyotirlingas (the phallus of light) in this temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas throughout India, which makes Kedarnath one of the most sacred Hindu cities. The difference between a Jyotirlingas and an ordinary linga is that while the former derives power from within itself, the latter is invested with mantra-Shakti (power of a verse or phrase that has magical efficiency) by priests. Legend has it that the Temple was built by the Pandavas (the heroes of the epic, Mahabharata) to redeem themselves for the sins they had committed during the Bharata War (for more detail about the Bharata War see Ancient Scriptures). Certain records state that the temple is ancient, probably dating back to the pre-Christian era. But evidence shows that it was built in the 8th century A.D. This temple was reconstructed and renovated by Sri Shankaracharaya, the social and religious reformer (for more detail see History of Kerala) who also established a Matha (Hindu monastic establishment) at Badrinath. As the temple is located on the snowy heights of the Himalayas, the entrance into the temple is restricted throughout winter. Therefore, it is open six months a year, from May to October.

Places around Kedarnath Temple

Vasuki Tal

Situated at an altitude of 4135 meters and surrounded by the Chaukhamba Mountain Ranges, Vasuki Tal is a lovely lake. You can get an excellent view of the Chaukhamba Peak (7,138m) from here.

Ukhimath

62km from Kedarnath

Well connected by road with Rudraprayag, Ukhimath is a peaceful place. The deities of the Kedarnath temple are installed at this matha (Hindu monastic establishment) when the Kedarnath Temple closes during winter.

Devaria Tal

68km from Kedarnath

Located at a height of 2,430m, it is a very beautiful lake. You can get an excellent view of the Chaukhamba Peak from here.